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48. Ruslan
Last Updated:
2024-11-25 18:09:00Related chapters
Between Hate and Fate 49. Ruslan
The air in Anatoly’s office feels heavy, the tension palpable as we sit around the large wooden table. Anatoly is at the head, leaning back in his chair, his arms crossed over his chest. Ivan, Mikhail, and Roman are seated beside me, their expressions grim. None of us are in the mood for small talk.I sit forward, my elbows on the table, my hands clasped tightly as I replay the events of the attack in my mind. The bounty hunters came for Katya, and we still don’t know who sent them. The not knowing is the worst part, the way it gnaws at me like a wound that won’t heal.“I’ve left three warriors at the cabin,” Anatoly says, breaking the silence. “They’re keeping an eye out for anyone who might come back. But so far, it’s been quiet.”“Too quiet,” Mikhail mutters, his jaw tight. “If they were determined enough to send bounty hunters, they won’t stop at one failed attempt.”I nod, my hands tightening into fists. “Whoever it is, they wanted her alive. That means they have a specific plan
Last Updated : 2024-11-25Between Hate and Fate 50. Katya
The pup center is alive with chaos, the kind that comes with a room full of energetic children. Laughter and shrieks bounce off the walls as little ones chase each other, their tiny feet thudding against the wooden floors. I’m sitting cross-legged on the carpet, helping one of the pups stack blocks into a wobbly tower. The smile on her face when we manage to balance the final block is worth the ache in my knees.“Good job, Sofia,” I say, clapping lightly. Her face lights up, and she giggles, clapping along with me.For a moment, I forget everything else. The tension, the stares, the whispers. It’s just me and Sofia and her towering creation. But then a voice cuts through the noise, sharp and pointed.“Must be strange for you,” one of the women says, her tone dripping with fake sweetness. “Helping out here, I mean. Not exactly the Luna anymore, are you?”I glance up to see Marissa, one of the pack’s more outspoken women, standing with her arms crossed. Her smile doesn’t reach her eyes
Last Updated : 2024-12-08Between Hate and Fate 51. Katya
Lunch is simple, just a meal shared at one of the long communal tables in the dining hall. Ruslan grabs a tray and loads it up with food before steering me toward a quieter corner of the room. The place is packed, voices and laughter filling the air as pack members enjoy their break, but Ruslan keeps his focus solely on me.“You’re eating all of that?” I tease, eyeing the mountain of food on his tray.He smirks, sitting down and pulling out a chair for me. “I’m not sharing if that’s what you’re asking.”I laugh softly, sitting beside him and picking at my own plate of roasted chicken and vegetables. “Good thing I’m not hungry enough to fight you for it.”“You’d lose,” he says, taking a huge bite of bread, his grin cheeky as he chews.“Oh, I don’t doubt it,” I reply, rolling my eyes but smiling. It’s easy, this banter, and for a moment, I forget the tension of the morning. Ruslan has that effect on me, pulling me into his world, making me feel grounded.We eat in comfortable silence f
Last Updated : 2024-12-08Between Hate and Fate 52. Ruslan
Katya stands in front of the dresser, wrapping a towel around her damp body as she talks about her day. Her voice is light, carrying the small details of life that she loves sharing—how the pups at the center are getting more comfortable with her, how one of the older women baked cookies for everyone and insisted she take some home.But I barely hear her words.Her movements are unhurried as she talks, the towel gliding over her skin, revealing just enough to make my pulse race. She’s radiant, more beautiful than I’ve ever seen her, and the soft glow of the lamplight only makes it worse. The sight of her—this strong, vibrant woman, carrying my mate mark—makes my chest ache. She’s glowing, her skin warm and flushed from the bath, and I can’t stop staring at the curve of her belly, round and perfect. It’s mesmerizing, and every time I look at her, I feel it again—the overwhelming, almost painful love I have for her.I never thought I could love someone like this. It takes my breath aw
Last Updated : 2024-12-08Between Hate and Fate 53. Ruslan
The tension in Anatoly’s office is thick enough to choke on as he reads the letter aloud. My jaw tightens with every word. The weight of Tomas’s demands settling heavily over the room like a storm cloud.“...propose a meeting on neutral ground,” Anatoly says, his sharp eyes scanning the last few lines before he folds the letter and sets it down on the table. “He wants to meet in St. Petersburg.”I lean forward, elbows on my knees, my hands clenched into fists. “And you’re even considering this?”Anatoly looks at me, his expression tense. “What do you want me to do, Ruslan? Reject the meeting outright and risk open war?”“Yes,” I say immediately, my voice hard. “Tomas doesn’t want a meeting. He wants an opportunity. You think he’s going to come to neutral ground and have a polite conversation? He’ll have something up his sleeve.”Anatoly leans back in his chair, crossing his arms. “I don’t trust him either, but rejecting this could send the message that we’re the ones unwilling to nego
Last Updated : 2024-12-10Between Hate and Fate 54. Katya
The morning air is crisp as I stand near the packhouse steps watching Ruslan check his gear one last time. The leather straps of his bag creak as he adjusts it over his shoulder, his broad shoulders tense, his jaw tight. He hasn’t said much, and I know it’s because he doesn’t want to make this harder than it already is.I don’t want to cry. I’ve been telling myself that since I woke up, trying to steel myself against the weight of his absence. But the truth is, I’ve never been without him since we were forced to live together in that cabin, and the thought of it feels like a hole is being carved into my chest.“You’ll be okay,” he says finally, breaking the silence. His voice is rough, and I can tell he’s trying to convince himself as much as me.I nod and force a smile. “Of course. I’ll be fine.”He steps closer, his grey eyes scanning my face like he’s trying to memorize every detail. “I don’t like this,” he admits and shakes his head. “I don’t like leaving you.”“Ruslan,” I say so
Last Updated : 2024-12-10Between Hate and Fate 55. Ruslan
The meeting place is an old, abandoned mansion on neutral ground, far enough from both packs to avoid accusations of favoritism. It’s quiet as hell, eerie even, with the kind of stillness that makes my skin crawl. As Anatoly and I approach the double doors, I feel my jaw tighten, the memory of Tomas’ bullshit letter simmering in the back of my mind.When we step inside, the air is tense. Tomas is already there, flanked by members of his pack, their postures rigid and their expressions hostile. It’s clear they don’t want us here. Good—I don’t want to be here either.The second Tomas’ gaze lands on me, his face twists in shock, and then rage. “What the fuck is he doing here?” he spits, pointing at me like I’m a goddamn pest.Anatoly’s growl is immediate, low and threatening, reverberating through the room. “If that’s how you’re going to speak about my Beta, this meeting will end before it even begins.”Tomas freezes, his mouth opening and closing like a fish out of water. “Beta?” he fi
Last Updated : 2024-12-11Between Hate and Fate 56. Ruslan
The SUV hums beneath us as we cut through the countryside, the miles disappearing in our rearview mirror. But the closer we get to home, the heavier the weight in my chest grows. It’s not just the aftermath of that bullshit meeting with Tomas. No, this is something deeper, something primal clawing at my insides.I glance at Anatoly, who’s sitting in the driver’s seat, his focus sharp as he navigates the winding road. “I’ve got a bad feeling,” I mutter, rubbing the ache at the pit of my stomach.Anatoly’s brows furrow, but he doesn’t take his eyes off the road. “Bad like what? Tomas pulling some shit?”“I don’t know,” I admit, my voice rough with frustration. “It’s not just the meeting. It’s... something else. Like something’s wrong back home.”Anatoly casts me a quick glance, his lips pressed into a thin line. “You think it’s Katya?”“Fuck,” I hiss, sitting up straighter. “I don’t know. I just—”The bond snaps sharp and bright in my chest, cutting off my words. Pain, fear, and anxiet
Last Updated : 2024-12-11
Latest chapter
Between Hate and Fate 56. Ruslan
The SUV hums beneath us as we cut through the countryside, the miles disappearing in our rearview mirror. But the closer we get to home, the heavier the weight in my chest grows. It’s not just the aftermath of that bullshit meeting with Tomas. No, this is something deeper, something primal clawing at my insides.I glance at Anatoly, who’s sitting in the driver’s seat, his focus sharp as he navigates the winding road. “I’ve got a bad feeling,” I mutter, rubbing the ache at the pit of my stomach.Anatoly’s brows furrow, but he doesn’t take his eyes off the road. “Bad like what? Tomas pulling some shit?”“I don’t know,” I admit, my voice rough with frustration. “It’s not just the meeting. It’s... something else. Like something’s wrong back home.”Anatoly casts me a quick glance, his lips pressed into a thin line. “You think it’s Katya?”“Fuck,” I hiss, sitting up straighter. “I don’t know. I just—”The bond snaps sharp and bright in my chest, cutting off my words. Pain, fear, and anxiet
Between Hate and Fate 55. Ruslan
The meeting place is an old, abandoned mansion on neutral ground, far enough from both packs to avoid accusations of favoritism. It’s quiet as hell, eerie even, with the kind of stillness that makes my skin crawl. As Anatoly and I approach the double doors, I feel my jaw tighten, the memory of Tomas’ bullshit letter simmering in the back of my mind.When we step inside, the air is tense. Tomas is already there, flanked by members of his pack, their postures rigid and their expressions hostile. It’s clear they don’t want us here. Good—I don’t want to be here either.The second Tomas’ gaze lands on me, his face twists in shock, and then rage. “What the fuck is he doing here?” he spits, pointing at me like I’m a goddamn pest.Anatoly’s growl is immediate, low and threatening, reverberating through the room. “If that’s how you’re going to speak about my Beta, this meeting will end before it even begins.”Tomas freezes, his mouth opening and closing like a fish out of water. “Beta?” he fi
Between Hate and Fate 54. Katya
The morning air is crisp as I stand near the packhouse steps watching Ruslan check his gear one last time. The leather straps of his bag creak as he adjusts it over his shoulder, his broad shoulders tense, his jaw tight. He hasn’t said much, and I know it’s because he doesn’t want to make this harder than it already is.I don’t want to cry. I’ve been telling myself that since I woke up, trying to steel myself against the weight of his absence. But the truth is, I’ve never been without him since we were forced to live together in that cabin, and the thought of it feels like a hole is being carved into my chest.“You’ll be okay,” he says finally, breaking the silence. His voice is rough, and I can tell he’s trying to convince himself as much as me.I nod and force a smile. “Of course. I’ll be fine.”He steps closer, his grey eyes scanning my face like he’s trying to memorize every detail. “I don’t like this,” he admits and shakes his head. “I don’t like leaving you.”“Ruslan,” I say so
Between Hate and Fate 53. Ruslan
The tension in Anatoly’s office is thick enough to choke on as he reads the letter aloud. My jaw tightens with every word. The weight of Tomas’s demands settling heavily over the room like a storm cloud.“...propose a meeting on neutral ground,” Anatoly says, his sharp eyes scanning the last few lines before he folds the letter and sets it down on the table. “He wants to meet in St. Petersburg.”I lean forward, elbows on my knees, my hands clenched into fists. “And you’re even considering this?”Anatoly looks at me, his expression tense. “What do you want me to do, Ruslan? Reject the meeting outright and risk open war?”“Yes,” I say immediately, my voice hard. “Tomas doesn’t want a meeting. He wants an opportunity. You think he’s going to come to neutral ground and have a polite conversation? He’ll have something up his sleeve.”Anatoly leans back in his chair, crossing his arms. “I don’t trust him either, but rejecting this could send the message that we’re the ones unwilling to nego
Between Hate and Fate 52. Ruslan
Katya stands in front of the dresser, wrapping a towel around her damp body as she talks about her day. Her voice is light, carrying the small details of life that she loves sharing—how the pups at the center are getting more comfortable with her, how one of the older women baked cookies for everyone and insisted she take some home.But I barely hear her words.Her movements are unhurried as she talks, the towel gliding over her skin, revealing just enough to make my pulse race. She’s radiant, more beautiful than I’ve ever seen her, and the soft glow of the lamplight only makes it worse. The sight of her—this strong, vibrant woman, carrying my mate mark—makes my chest ache. She’s glowing, her skin warm and flushed from the bath, and I can’t stop staring at the curve of her belly, round and perfect. It’s mesmerizing, and every time I look at her, I feel it again—the overwhelming, almost painful love I have for her.I never thought I could love someone like this. It takes my breath aw
Between Hate and Fate 51. Katya
Lunch is simple, just a meal shared at one of the long communal tables in the dining hall. Ruslan grabs a tray and loads it up with food before steering me toward a quieter corner of the room. The place is packed, voices and laughter filling the air as pack members enjoy their break, but Ruslan keeps his focus solely on me.“You’re eating all of that?” I tease, eyeing the mountain of food on his tray.He smirks, sitting down and pulling out a chair for me. “I’m not sharing if that’s what you’re asking.”I laugh softly, sitting beside him and picking at my own plate of roasted chicken and vegetables. “Good thing I’m not hungry enough to fight you for it.”“You’d lose,” he says, taking a huge bite of bread, his grin cheeky as he chews.“Oh, I don’t doubt it,” I reply, rolling my eyes but smiling. It’s easy, this banter, and for a moment, I forget the tension of the morning. Ruslan has that effect on me, pulling me into his world, making me feel grounded.We eat in comfortable silence f
Between Hate and Fate 50. Katya
The pup center is alive with chaos, the kind that comes with a room full of energetic children. Laughter and shrieks bounce off the walls as little ones chase each other, their tiny feet thudding against the wooden floors. I’m sitting cross-legged on the carpet, helping one of the pups stack blocks into a wobbly tower. The smile on her face when we manage to balance the final block is worth the ache in my knees.“Good job, Sofia,” I say, clapping lightly. Her face lights up, and she giggles, clapping along with me.For a moment, I forget everything else. The tension, the stares, the whispers. It’s just me and Sofia and her towering creation. But then a voice cuts through the noise, sharp and pointed.“Must be strange for you,” one of the women says, her tone dripping with fake sweetness. “Helping out here, I mean. Not exactly the Luna anymore, are you?”I glance up to see Marissa, one of the pack’s more outspoken women, standing with her arms crossed. Her smile doesn’t reach her eyes
Between Hate and Fate 49. Ruslan
The air in Anatoly’s office feels heavy, the tension palpable as we sit around the large wooden table. Anatoly is at the head, leaning back in his chair, his arms crossed over his chest. Ivan, Mikhail, and Roman are seated beside me, their expressions grim. None of us are in the mood for small talk.I sit forward, my elbows on the table, my hands clasped tightly as I replay the events of the attack in my mind. The bounty hunters came for Katya, and we still don’t know who sent them. The not knowing is the worst part, the way it gnaws at me like a wound that won’t heal.“I’ve left three warriors at the cabin,” Anatoly says, breaking the silence. “They’re keeping an eye out for anyone who might come back. But so far, it’s been quiet.”“Too quiet,” Mikhail mutters, his jaw tight. “If they were determined enough to send bounty hunters, they won’t stop at one failed attempt.”I nod, my hands tightening into fists. “Whoever it is, they wanted her alive. That means they have a specific plan
Between Hate and Fate 48. Ruslan
The low hum of conversation grows louder as I guide Katya down the staircase toward the banquet hall. Her hand is tucked into the crook of my arm, her grip firm but not tense. She’s composed, regal even, though I can feel the nervous energy rolling off her. I can’t blame her. It’s not every day you get introduced to an entire pack, especially one that isn’t yours.We step onto the main floor, and the scent of roasted meat, spices, and freshly baked bread hits me. The hall is alive with chatter and laughter, the long tables already filling with pack members. It’s warm and inviting, a stark contrast to the icy tension that’s been shadowing us for weeks. But the reality is still there: these people aren’t just here for dinner. They’re here to see us, to size us up, to decide if we belong.Katya’s grip tightens slightly as Anatoly strides toward us, his grin as wide as ever. He’s in his element, his booming laugh cutting through the noise as he claps a few shoulders on his way over. Hi
